Petunia plant named ‘DANLITT248’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct  Petunia  cultivar named ‘DANLITT248 ’ is disclosed, characterized by having a distinctive small, white flowers, and a compact, rapid growth habit. The new variety is a  Petunia , normally produced as an outdoor garden or container plant.

Latin name of the genus and species: Petunia sensu Wijsman.

Variety denomination: ‘DANLITT248 ’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The new Petunia cultivar is a product of a planned breeding program conducted by the inventor, Gavriel Danziger, in Moshav Mishmar Hashiva, Israel. The objective of the breeding program was to produce new Petunia varieties for commercial applications. The cross resulting in this new variety was made during 2007.

The seed parent is the unpatented, proprietary seedling variety referred to as Petunia sensu Wijsman ‘Pe-2643.’ The pollen parent is the unpatented, proprietary seedling variety referred to as Petunia sensu Wijsman ‘Pe-1425.’ The new variety was discovered in March 2008 by the inventor in a group of seedlings resulting from that crossing, in a commercial greenhouse in Moshav Mishmar Hashiva, Israel.

Asexual reproduction of the new cultivar ‘DANLITT248’ by vegetative cuttings was first performed at a commercial greenhouse in Moshav Mishmar Hashiva, Israel in March 2008 and has shown that the unique features of this cultivar are stable and reproduced true to type in successive generations.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The cultivar ‘DANLITT248’ has not been observed under all possible environmental conditions. The phenotype may vary somewhat with variations in environment such as temperature, day length, and light intensity, without, however, any variance in genotype.

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined to be the unique characteristics of ‘DANLITT248.’ These characteristics in combination distinguish ‘DANLITT248’ as a new and distinct Petunia cultivar:

-   -   1. Distinctive clear white flower color.     -   2. Very small flowers.     -   3. Strong plant habit, resisting breakage and splitting.

Plants of the new cultivar ‘DANLITT248’ are similar to plants of the seed parent, Petunia sensu Wijsman ‘Pe-2643’ in most horticultural characteristics, however, plants of the new cultivar ‘DANLITT248’ produce smaller flowers, and plants with more branches.

Plants of the new cultivar ‘DANLITT248’ are similar to plants of the pollen parent, Petunia sensu Wijsman ‘Pe-1425’ in most horticultural characteristics, however, plants of the new cultivar ‘DANLITT248’ produce white flowers, whereas the pollen parent produces pink flowers. Additionally, the new variety has a different overall plant habit than the pollen parent.

COMMERCIAL COMPARISON

Plants of the new cultivar ‘DANLITT248’ are comparable to the variety ‘DANCASDEEP,’ U.S. Plant Pat. No. 17,020. The two Petunia varieties are similar in most horticultural characteristics, however, the new variety ‘DANLITT248’ differs in having a smaller, different color flower, and different overall plant habit.

Plants of the new cultivar ‘DANLITT248’ can also be compared to the unpatented commercial variety Petunia ‘Cascadias White.’ ‘DANLITT248’ and ‘Cascadias White’ are similar in most horticultural characteristics, however ‘Cascadias White’ has larger flowers and slightly less branching than ‘DANLITT248.’

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPH

The accompanying photograph in FIG. 1 illustrates in full color a typical plant of ‘DANLITT248’ grown in a greenhouse, in a 16 cm basket. Age of the plant photographed is approximately 3 months from a rooted cutting.

FIG. 2 illustrates in full color a close up of a typical bloom of ‘DANLITT248.’ The photographs were taken using conventional techniques and although colors may appear different from actual colors due to light reflectance it is as accurate as possible by conventional photographic techniques.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

In the following description, color references are made to The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart except where general terms of ordinary dictionary significance are used. The following observations and measurements describe ‘DANLITT248’ plants grown outdoors during Autumn in Moshav Mishmar Hashiva, Israel. The growing temperature ranged from 20° C. to 35° C. during the day and from 17° C. to 23° C. during the night. General light conditions are bright, normal sunlight, with some shade during the brightest part of the day. Measurements and numerical values represent averages of typical plant types.

-   Botanical classification: Petunia sensu wijsman ‘DANLITT248.’

PROPAGATION

-   Time to initiate roots: About 10 to 14 days at approximately 18-30°     C. -   Root description: Fine, fibrous.

PLANT

-   Growth habit: Compact. -   Pot size of plant described: 12 cm. -   Age of plant described: Approximately 30 days from a rooted cutting. -   Height:     -   -   To top of flowers.—Approximately 7 cm. -   Plant spread: Approximately 20 cm. -   Growth rate: Rapid. -   Branching characteristics: Very well-branched. -   Characteristics of lateral branches:     -   -   Length.—Approximately 10 cm.         -   Diameter.—Approximately 0.1 cm.         -   Color.—Near RHS Green 139A.         -   Texture.—Pubescent.         -   Strength.—Flexible. -   Internode length: Approximately 2 to 4 cm.

FOLIAGE

-   Leaf:     -   -   Arrangement.—Opposite.         -   Quantity.—Approximately 10 per branch.         -   Average length.—Approximately 3 cm.         -   Average width.—Approximately 1.0 cm.         -   Shape of blade.—Elliptic.         -   Apex.—Obtuse         -   Base.—Acute.         -   Margin.—Entire.         -   Texture of top surface.—Glabrous.         -   Aspect.—90° from stem.         -   Color.—Young foliage upper side: Near RHS Green 139A. Young             foliage under side: Near RHS Green 139A. Mature foliage             upper side: Near RHS Green 139A. Mature foliage under side:             Near RHS Green 139A.         -   Venation.—Type: Pinnate. Venation color upper side: Near RHS             Green 139A. Venation color under side: Near RHS Green 139A.         -   Petiole.—Not present.

FLOWER

-   Natural flowering season: Freely flowering all year in Moshav     Mishmar Hashiva Israel. -   Inflorescence and flower type and habit: Salverform, single with     fused petals. -   Rate of flower opening: 2 to 3 days from bud to fully opened flower. -   Flower longevity on plant: Individual flowers last 3 to 6 days on     the plant. -   Quantity of flowers: Approximately 30 per plant. -   Flower size:     -   -   Diameter.—Approximately 1.8 cm.         -   Flower tube length.—Approximately 1.5 cm.         -   Flower tube diameter at distal end.—Approximately 0.4 cm.         -   Flower tube diameter at proximal end.—Approximately 0.2 cm. -   Petals:     -   -   Length from throat.—About 0.8 cm.         -   Width.—About 0.9 cm.         -   Quantity.—5, fused.         -   Texture.—Smooth.         -   Apex.—Truncate.         -   Margin.—Entire. -   Color:     -   -   When opening.—Upper surface: Near RHS mini color chart 2005             N999D. Lower surface: Near RHS mini color chart 2005 N999D.         -   Fully opened.—Upper surface: Near RHS mini color chart 2005             N999D. Lower surface: Near RHS mini color chart 2005 N999D.             Flower throat (inside): Near RI-IS Yellow 1C. Flower throat,             vein: Near RHS Yellow 1C. Flower tube (outside): Near RHS             Yellow-Green 154D. Flower tube, vein: Near RHS Yellow-Green             154D. Petal color, fading to: Near RHS mini color chart 2005             N999D. -   Bud:     -   -   Shape.—Tubular.         -   Length.—Approximately 2 cm.         -   Diameter.—Approximately 0.3 cm.         -   Color.—Near RHS Yellow 1B. -   Calyx/sepals:     -   -   Quantity per flower.—5.         -   Shape.—Elliptic.         -   Length.—Approximately 0.7 cm.         -   Width.—Approximately 0.1 cm.         -   Apex.—Truncate.         -   Base.—Cuneate.         -   Margin.—Entire.         -   Texture.—Lustrous.         -   Color.—Upper Surface: Near RHS Green 139A. Lower Surface:             Near RHS Green 139A. -   Peduncle:     -   -   Length.—Approximately 1 to 2 cm.         -   Diameter.—Approximately 0.1 cm.         -   Color.—Near RHS Green 139A.         -   Orientation.—45° angle. -   Fragrance: None.

REPRODUCTIVE ORGANS

-   Stamens:     -   -   Number.—5.         -   Filament length.—Approximately 1 cm. -   Anthers:     -   -   Length.—Approximately 0.1 cm.         -   Shape.—Spherical.         -   Color.—RHS Yellow 11A.         -   Pollen.—Color: Near RHS Yellow 11A. Quantity: Abundant. -   Pistil:     -   -   Number.—1.         -   Length.—Approximately 1 cm.         -   Style.—Length: Approximately 0.1 cm. Color: Near RHS Green             139C.         -   Stigma.—Shape: Cylindric. Color: Near RHS Green 139C. Ovary             Color: Near RHS Green 139A.

OTHER CHARACTERISTICS

-   Seeds and fruits: Numerous minute, dark seeds. -   Disease/pest resistance: Neither resistance nor susceptibility to     pathogens and pests common to Petunia have been observed. -   Temperature tolerance: The new variety tolerates temperatures     between 5 to 40° C. 

1. A new and distinct cultivar of Petunia plant named ‘DANLITT248’ as herein illustrated and described. 